A six-month trial will begin in mid-June 2026, featuring IVECO’s zero-emission battery-electric prototype truck for heavy-duty applications.
The EMPOWER project trial will take place in collaboration with logistics provider Gruber Logistics, who will test a prototype derived from the serial IVECO S-eWay Rigid.
The truck will be operated from the company’s site in northeastern Italy within its LTL (Less Than Truckload) division, handling groupage and partial loads.
With a range of up to 248 miles, the vehicle will be tested on medium- and long-haul routes through the end of 2026, following the successful completion of initial test drives at IVECO’s private proving grounds in Ulm, Germany.
The EMPOWER project (Eco-operated, Modular, highly efficient, and flexible multi-POWERtrain for long-haul heavy-duty vehicles) will test battery-electric heavy-duty vehicle technology in real logistics operations.
The data collected during the demonstration will support the optimisation of future electric truck platforms and contribute to the wider roll-out of battery-electric vehicles for both regional and long-haul freight applications.
What sets the prototype apart is that it has been specifically developed for zero-emission transport on longer routes using swap bodies rather than semi-trailers. To meet these requirements, it features an extended frame tailored to the operational needs defined in collaboration with Gruber Logistics. In addition, the driver’s cab has been adapted – in synergy with several EMPOWER project partners - to implement the necessary operating and control strategies.
Pierpaolo Biffali, Head of Innovation & Advanced Engineering Iveco Group, said: “At IVECO, we are committed to developing zero-emission solutions and EMPOWER has provided the ideal framework to collaborate across the ecosystem for specific and demanding transport missions. Our focus is not only to advance technologies, but also to validate them in real-world conditions—bridging innovation with practical application while enabling early testing, customer feedback and a deeper understanding of system integration, ensuring the highest standards of quality and reliability across every stage of development.”
Michele De Gennaro, Head of Competence Unit Electric Vehicle Technologies at AIT, states: “The successful deployment of the IVECO battery-electric demonstrator with Gruber Logistics for EMPOWER marks an important step towards scalable zero-emission freight transport in Europe. Building on these operational foundations, we look forward to continuing working together in the European research programme, with the aim to accelerate the large-scale deployment of battery-electric heavy-duty vehicles across European logistics operations.”
